Deer Creek Fire grows to 724 acres, no containment

The Deer Creek Fire is burning 724 acres 18 miles west of Marion with no containment. On Saturday crews disengaged briefly due to the rain and strong winds. Large aircraft dropped fire along the southern edge of the fire to prevent it from spreading into a nearby drainage. On Sunday...

NBC MT Today: Wildfire updates, FVCC back in session, thunderstorms in forecast

Which areas have evacuation warnings due to the Nature Grove Fire?. Why were evacuation warnings issued for the Nature Grove Fire?

Skillet Fire burns 3,384 acres, remains at 82% containment

The Skillet Fire burning 3,384 acres remains at 82% containment, 15 miles west of Olney. The lightning caused fire had minimal activity yesterday. Crews are working on mopping up and strengthening containment lines on the west and northwest sides of the fire. Air and ground crews are working on the...

Lumber Fire burning 10 acres in Sanders County

SANDERS COUNTY, Mont. – The Lumber Fire, which ignited Saturday in the early evening, roughly 3.5 miles southwest of Plains, has spread to an estimated 10 acres in size, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). DNRC engines and heavy equipment were dispatched to the...

Deer Creek Fire Near Flathead and Lincoln County Border Grows to 963 Acres

With favorable weather anticipated on Monday, firefighting crews are expected to make “good progress” on the 963-acre Deer Creek Fire along the Flathead and Lincoln County line, according to an update from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Firefighters will utilize dozer and hand crews...

Wildfire Smoke Prompts Clean Air Pop-Up Events in Flathead Valley

With wildfire smoke blanketing the Flathead Valley again this summer, three communities are opening their doors to show residents where — and how — they can find cleaner air. Climate Smart Glacier Country (CSG) will host a series of open houses, or “pop-up events,” Aug. 24-27 at three...

Deer Creek Fire burning 744 acres west of Marion

MARION, Mont. - The Deer Creek Fire is burning 724 acres around 18 miles west of Marion. The fire sparked on August 20, according to Northern Rockies Team 9 Type 3 Incident Management Team. Incident command said aircraft dropped retardant along the southern perimeter of the fire yesterday to keep...

Warm air build in midweek with a weekend cooldown ahead

Warmer weather quickly returns this week as high pressure rebuilds, but increasing monsoon moisture will bring renewed thunderstorm chances by midweek.

Cherry Peak Fire burning 130 acres in Sanders County

UPDATE: August 19, 2026 at 11:33 a.m. The Lolo National Forest Type 3 Organization took over command of the Cherry Peak fire on Tuesday, according to a social media post from the Lolo National Forest. The fire is burning around 130 acres according to the latest aerial mapping and has no containment.

Skillet Fire contained as wildfire concerns shift to Southwest Montana

Firefighters have gained 82% containment on the Skillet Fire west of Olney about three weeks after its start. Despite the severity of fires across the nation and the limited availability of resources, fire managers were provided with the crews, equipment and supplies needed to successfully protect homes, critical infrastructure and timber values. Local teams have resumed command of the Skillet Fire as Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 and other crews leave. Over $20 million was spent fighting the fire estimated to have burned 3,364 acres. While on the ground, crews completed at least 18.4 miles of dozer line, five miles of hand line and 55 miles of hose lays. Firefighters will continue to mop up along completed containment lines and aircraft from local units will be available to respond should fire activity require aerial efforts. Evacuation warnings were lifted but a closure remains in place for the fire area in the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests. Fuels on the interior can continue to smolder, which may send up smoke or show pockets of activity. Significant rain last week brought a reprieve from the smoke. Weather conditions are trending warmer and drier, but fire activity is unlikely to spread

Fire danger lowered to high on Reservation

The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire announced in a press release on Tuesday, Aug. 18, that fire danger on the Flathead Indian Reservation has been lowered from high. According to the CSKT Division of Fire, the Reservation received “some good” precipitation last week and cooler temperatures, prompting fire officials to discuss modifying fire restrictions. Stage 1 fire restrictions are still in effect within the boundary of the Reservation until further notice. The following items are prohibited until further notice: building or maintaining a fire or campfire, except within a developed recreation site; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials; and operating a motorized vehicle off designated roads or trails. The press release noted that fire season is not over and vegetation can cure with above-normal temperatures. This is a type of fine, dead fuel that is the primary carrier of fire in the wildland and can quickly spread out of control. Debris burning is illegal on the Reservation until Oct. 1

Rains big help in stemming wildfires, smoke

Rains have helped with area wildfires in the past week. The Silvertip Fire, at about 6,700 acres in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, saw about 0.41 inch of rain according to Inciweb. “Firefighters observed minimal fire behavior with continued creeping and smoldering in Slim Creek below Limestone Peak and mid-slope on either side of Silvertip Creek,” the most recent report on the fire noted. Still, many trails including the main Spotted Bear River Trail (No. 83) remain closed near the fire. The Skillet Fire near Olney is now listed at 75% contained at 3,364 acres. There remains a closure area around the fire, but local homeowners have been allowed back into their properties. The Skillet Fire was transitioning this week to a Type 3 team. Beneficial rain fell across most of the region last week, particularly on Friday, which saw a steady rain for a good portion of the day. Most areas saw about a half inch or a little more (areas north saw less) from that event, noted National Weather service meteorologist Brian Conlan, but then on Sunday night a thunderstorm dropped additionally 0.8 inch to 1 inch of rain from Blacktail Mountain to the Glacier Park international Airport. The

Skillet Fire reaches 82% containment as local team takes command

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Skillet Fire burning west of Olney is now 82% contained as management of the fire transitions back to a local team. Tuesday marks the final day Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 will oversee the fire. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team will assume command at 7 p.m. and continue a full suppression strategy.

Tribes, county and FWP authorize Stage 1 fire restrictions

As of Tuesday morning, the CSKT Division of Fire reported that a small blaze on Minesinger Trail, southeast of Polson, was completely contained and had been kept to four acres. The fire was reported last Friday and was met with a bulldozer, which opened a nearby abandoned road, and air support. The blaze began as fire danger on the Flathead Reservation remained at Very High, and a Red Flag warning was issued for the weekend due to extremely windy conditions, which have since subsided. Meanwhile, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council has instituted Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Flathead Reservation. According to a press release, this prohibits the following acts until further notice: • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site; • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. For more information, contact C.T. Camel, Fire Prevention Specialist, at 406-676-2550 ext. 6407 or ct.camel@cskt.org FWP also declares Stage 1 Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced in a press release

Skillet Fire at 3,357 acres, reaches 47% containment

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Skillet Fire burning about 15 miles west of Olney has grown to 3,357 acres and is now 47% contained, according to a Friday update from fire officials. Crews completed a line connecting to the East Fork Fire scar, providing a holding feature across the entire southern edge of the fire. Firefighters are now prioritizing mop-up operations, while crews are also removing dead trees near Alder Creek to provide safer access for equipment and personnel.

Haywire Gulch closed in Flathead County due to wildfire

Skillet Fire containment jumps to 39% as crews battle storms

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Skillet Fire burning about 15 miles west of Olney has grown to 3,383 acres and is now 39% contained, according to a Thursday update from fire officials. A total of 562 personnel are assigned to the lightning-caused fire, which started July 29. Crews continue to...

Stage 1 fire restrictions set in Lake County's FWP sites

KALISPELL, Mont. – Stage 1 fire restrictions were set for state parks, fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and all other lands managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in Lake County. These restrictions began on August 7, following state 1 restrictions put in place by Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Incoming weather could aid crews fighting the Skillet Fire

The Skillet Fire burning in the Flathead National Forest is now 3,375 acres and 32% contained. According to the U.S. Forest Service, containment is steadily progressing.

Air Quality Alert Issued in Flathead County as Crews Make Progress on Skillet Fire

Firefighting teams continue to make progress on the 3,299-acre Skillet Fire west of Olney even as the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues an air quality alert for Flathead County, where dense smoke from wildfires in Washington and Oregon, in addition to local fires, have combined to create unhealthy air quality conditions.